Semi-final Finland - Czech Republic

Semifinal with Finland and Czech Republic starts from an interesting situation. Finland won its game easily against Latvia 12-2 but Czech had difficulties against Estonia and it won the match after penalty shootout. At semifinal Czech Republic started well winning the first period 0-1 but after the game it was the Team Finland who celebrated the victory. 6-1 (0-1, 2-0, 4-0).

Out of nowhere almost full Hartwall Arena shouts when both teams are announced. The Arena also goes very silent because Team Czech Republic starts very well and they score right at the beginning of the game in time 1.49. Tomas Sladky scores with his back against the goal and suddenly the score is 0-1. Right after the goal Team Finland tries to get back to the game but goaltender of Team Czech Republic Tomas Kafka makes a couple of very nice saves.

Both teams have difficulties with normal passes and shots and it seems that the loud crowd makes both of the teams very nervous. Team Czech Republic defends very well and they make passing very difficult to Team Finland. Team Finland’s best line, Kohonen – Hyvärinen – Tiitu, is creating opportunities all the time but they can’t deliver any goals so the second period starts from 0-1.

Team Finland starts the second period nicely but with no goals. Goalie Kafka is playing very well. Harri Forsten frees captain Järvi who is not able to lift the ball over Kafka. Team Finland tries and tries and then Sladky, who scored in the first period, takes a penalty. Straight from the free hit Mika Kohonen passes the ball to Tero Tiitu who is not going to miss a place like that. Goal for Team Finland and the numbers are 1-1. At 31.41, Finland gets a free hit from a good place and Czechs are sleeping while Järvi passes to Forsten who shoots and scores. Team Finland kept the ball control for the whole period but we don’t see any more goals and we go to the third period in numbers 2-1.

In the third period Czechs are trying to attack harder than in two first periods, but Team Finland is defending very well. The game goes from one end to another and then Team Finland places the last gear. First Järvi scores from a good realization of Forsten and the game is 3-1. Then Lassi Vänttinen passes to Esa Jussila and he doesn’t miss. 4-1. Then Rickie Hyvärinen steals the ball of Czech defender and passes to Mika Kohonen who scores to make it 5-1. And finally the crowd goes wild when Tero Tiitu shoots almost from the halfway of the rink numbers to 6-1. In the third period Team Czech Republic didn’t have a chance and final numbers are 6-1.  

After game the Finnish head coach Petteri Nykky said that Team Finland didn’t play the way they can in first period. He told that he has to look to the mirror, because he has to get the team working right from the beginning. He wasn’t disappointed obviously but he said that they could’ve played better.

Captain Mikael Järvi told pretty much the same story that coach Nykky did:
- First period was very nervous. Czechs were good today but this was our night. We have to make the normal routines before the game tomorrow and let’s not think further. I believe and I trust that we are ready tomorrow straight from the beginning, Järvi said.

Author: Elias Pekkala